Several different methodologies to estimate the temperature history of the contiguous United States, including NCEI's current operational version. Users can graph, compare and save the output from these different methods.

The Merged Land & Ocean Surface Temperature data are presented as anomalies (departures from a long-term average) on a five-degree by five-degree global grid. The period of record is January 1880 through the most recent month.

Temperature history for three different layers of the atmosphere: lower troposphere, middle troposphere, and lower stratosphere. These are different parts of the atmosphere than the more familiar surface temperature.

Drought

Based on Palmer drought analysis, the precipitation required to end or ameliorate drought in 12 timescales (1- to 12-months), the percent of normal precipitation this amount is, and the probability of receiving this amount of precipitation based on the historical record; worst case scenarios and projected scenarios are included

Maps, narratives, indicators, and data depicting areas of drought and abnormally dry conditions across the North American continent, compiled from national analyses prepared in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico